NSG 526 Exam 3 | Clinical Modalities in Advanced
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice | 147
Question with Answers and Rationale | Graded A+ |
New Update 2026/2027
1. How many stages are in Piaget's developmental theory?
A) Two
B) Three
C) Four
D) Five
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Piaget identified four major developmental stages that children progress through
from infancy to early adolescence: sensorimotor (birth to 2 years), preoperational (2-7 years),
concrete operational (7-12 years), and formal operational (12 years to adulthood). Each stage
represents a qualitatively different way of thinking, with children developing increasingly
sophisticated cognitive abilities. Understanding these stages is essential for nurses to provide
developmentally appropriate care, communicate effectively with children, and interpret
behaviors within the context of cognitive development.
2. What personality disorder is characterized by suspiciousness of others, fear that others will
exploit or harm them, fear of confiding in others, misreading compliments as manipulation,
hypervigilance, proneness to counterattack, hostility, and aloofness? Psychotic episodes may
occur in times of stress.
A) Schizoid personality disorder
B) Schizotypal personality disorder
C) Paranoid personality disorder
D) Avoidant personality disorder
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive distrust and
suspiciousness of others, interpreting others' motives as malevolent. Clients fear others will
exploit, harm, or deceive them; are reluctant to confide in others; misread compliments as
manipulation; are hypervigilant; prone to counterattack; and appear hostile and aloof. Psychotic
episodes may occur under stress. Nurses should provide straightforward explanations of tests,
procedures, treatment changes, and side effects to counteract client fear. This disorder is in
Cluster A (odd/eccentric cluster).
3. What personality disorder is characterized by avoidance of close relationships, social
isolation, poor occupational functioning, appearing cold/aloof/detached, lacking social
awareness, and experiencing fear and confusion in relationships?
A) Paranoid personality disorder
B) Schizoid personality disorder
C) Schizotypal personality disorder
D) Avoidant personality disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Schizoid personality disorder is characterized by a pattern of detachment from social
relationships and restricted emotional expression. Clients avoid close relationships, are socially
isolated, have poor occupational functioning, and appear cold, aloof, and detached. Social
awareness is lacking, and relationships generate fear and confusion. Nurses should strive for
simplification and clarity to decrease client anxiety. This disorder is in Cluster A (odd/eccentric
cluster) and is distinguished from schizotypal by the absence of magical thinking and perceptual
distortions.
4. What personality disorder is characterized by ideas of reference, magical thinking or odd
beliefs, perceptual distortions, vague/stereotyped speech, frightened/suspicious/blunted
affect, and distant/strained social relationships?
A) Paranoid personality disorder
B) Schizoid personality disorder
C) Schizotypal personality disorder
D) Avoidant personality disorder
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by acute discomfort in close
relationships, cognitive/perceptual distortions, and eccentric behavior. Clients exhibit ideas of
reference, magical thinking or odd beliefs, perceptual distortions, vague/stereotyped speech,
frightened/suspicious/blunted affect, and distant/strained social relationships. These clients
tend to be frightened and suspicious in social situations. Explanations can ease their anxiety.
This disorder is in Cluster A (odd/eccentric cluster) and is considered a schizophrenia-spectrum
disorder.
5. What are the Cluster A personality disorders?
A) Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal
B) Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic
C) Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive
D) Paranoid, Antisocial, Avoidant
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by odd or eccentric behavior and
include: Paranoid Personality Disorder (pervasive distrust and suspiciousness), Schizoid
Personality Disorder (detachment from social relationships, restricted emotional expression),
and Schizotypal Personality Disorder (acute discomfort in close relationships,
cognitive/perceptual distortions, eccentric behavior). These are often described as the
"odd/eccentric" cluster. Cluster B (dramatic/emotional) includes Antisocial, Borderline,
Histrionic, and Narcissistic. Cluster C (anxious/fearful) includes Avoidant, Dependent, and
Obsessive-Compulsive.
6. What are the Cluster B personality disorders?
A) Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal
B) Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic
C) Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive
D) Antisocial, Avoidant, Dependent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cluster B personality disorders are characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic
behavior and include: Antisocial Personality Disorder (disregard for and violation of others'
rights), Borderline Personality Disorder (instability in relationships, self-image, and affect;
, marked impulsivity), Histrionic Personality Disorder (excessive emotionality and attention-
seeking), and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of
empathy). These are often described as the "dramatic/emotional" cluster. Cluster A
(odd/eccentric) includes Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal. Cluster C (anxious/fearful) includes
Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive.
7. What personality disorder is characterized by superficial charm, violation of others' rights,
exploitation, lying, cheating, lack of guilt or remorse, impulsivity, acting out, and lack of
empathy?
A) Borderline personality disorder
B) Histrionic personality disorder
C) Antisocial personality disorder
D) Narcissistic personality disorder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for
and violation of the rights of others. Clients exhibit superficial charm, violate others' rights,
exploit others, lie, cheat, lack guilt or remorse, are impulsive, act out, and lack empathy. As
clients, these individuals are extremely manipulative and aggressive. Nurses must establish and
adhere to a plan of care and maintain clear boundaries to minimize client manipulation and
acting out. This disorder is in Cluster B (dramatic/emotional cluster). There is no medication
specifically for the disorder; treatment focuses on behavior modification and boundary setting.
8. What personality disorder is characterized by unstable/intense relationships, identity
disturbances, impulsivity, self-mutilation, rapid mood shifts, chronic emptiness, intense fear
of abandonment, splitting, and anger?
A) Antisocial personality disorder
B) Borderline personality disorder
C) Histrionic personality disorder
D) Narcissistic personality disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in
interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect, along with marked impulsivity. Key features
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice | 147
Question with Answers and Rationale | Graded A+ |
New Update 2026/2027
1. How many stages are in Piaget's developmental theory?
A) Two
B) Three
C) Four
D) Five
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Piaget identified four major developmental stages that children progress through
from infancy to early adolescence: sensorimotor (birth to 2 years), preoperational (2-7 years),
concrete operational (7-12 years), and formal operational (12 years to adulthood). Each stage
represents a qualitatively different way of thinking, with children developing increasingly
sophisticated cognitive abilities. Understanding these stages is essential for nurses to provide
developmentally appropriate care, communicate effectively with children, and interpret
behaviors within the context of cognitive development.
2. What personality disorder is characterized by suspiciousness of others, fear that others will
exploit or harm them, fear of confiding in others, misreading compliments as manipulation,
hypervigilance, proneness to counterattack, hostility, and aloofness? Psychotic episodes may
occur in times of stress.
A) Schizoid personality disorder
B) Schizotypal personality disorder
C) Paranoid personality disorder
D) Avoidant personality disorder
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive distrust and
suspiciousness of others, interpreting others' motives as malevolent. Clients fear others will
exploit, harm, or deceive them; are reluctant to confide in others; misread compliments as
manipulation; are hypervigilant; prone to counterattack; and appear hostile and aloof. Psychotic
episodes may occur under stress. Nurses should provide straightforward explanations of tests,
procedures, treatment changes, and side effects to counteract client fear. This disorder is in
Cluster A (odd/eccentric cluster).
3. What personality disorder is characterized by avoidance of close relationships, social
isolation, poor occupational functioning, appearing cold/aloof/detached, lacking social
awareness, and experiencing fear and confusion in relationships?
A) Paranoid personality disorder
B) Schizoid personality disorder
C) Schizotypal personality disorder
D) Avoidant personality disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Schizoid personality disorder is characterized by a pattern of detachment from social
relationships and restricted emotional expression. Clients avoid close relationships, are socially
isolated, have poor occupational functioning, and appear cold, aloof, and detached. Social
awareness is lacking, and relationships generate fear and confusion. Nurses should strive for
simplification and clarity to decrease client anxiety. This disorder is in Cluster A (odd/eccentric
cluster) and is distinguished from schizotypal by the absence of magical thinking and perceptual
distortions.
4. What personality disorder is characterized by ideas of reference, magical thinking or odd
beliefs, perceptual distortions, vague/stereotyped speech, frightened/suspicious/blunted
affect, and distant/strained social relationships?
A) Paranoid personality disorder
B) Schizoid personality disorder
C) Schizotypal personality disorder
D) Avoidant personality disorder
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by acute discomfort in close
relationships, cognitive/perceptual distortions, and eccentric behavior. Clients exhibit ideas of
reference, magical thinking or odd beliefs, perceptual distortions, vague/stereotyped speech,
frightened/suspicious/blunted affect, and distant/strained social relationships. These clients
tend to be frightened and suspicious in social situations. Explanations can ease their anxiety.
This disorder is in Cluster A (odd/eccentric cluster) and is considered a schizophrenia-spectrum
disorder.
5. What are the Cluster A personality disorders?
A) Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal
B) Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic
C) Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive
D) Paranoid, Antisocial, Avoidant
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by odd or eccentric behavior and
include: Paranoid Personality Disorder (pervasive distrust and suspiciousness), Schizoid
Personality Disorder (detachment from social relationships, restricted emotional expression),
and Schizotypal Personality Disorder (acute discomfort in close relationships,
cognitive/perceptual distortions, eccentric behavior). These are often described as the
"odd/eccentric" cluster. Cluster B (dramatic/emotional) includes Antisocial, Borderline,
Histrionic, and Narcissistic. Cluster C (anxious/fearful) includes Avoidant, Dependent, and
Obsessive-Compulsive.
6. What are the Cluster B personality disorders?
A) Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal
B) Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic
C) Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive
D) Antisocial, Avoidant, Dependent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cluster B personality disorders are characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic
behavior and include: Antisocial Personality Disorder (disregard for and violation of others'
rights), Borderline Personality Disorder (instability in relationships, self-image, and affect;
, marked impulsivity), Histrionic Personality Disorder (excessive emotionality and attention-
seeking), and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of
empathy). These are often described as the "dramatic/emotional" cluster. Cluster A
(odd/eccentric) includes Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal. Cluster C (anxious/fearful) includes
Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive.
7. What personality disorder is characterized by superficial charm, violation of others' rights,
exploitation, lying, cheating, lack of guilt or remorse, impulsivity, acting out, and lack of
empathy?
A) Borderline personality disorder
B) Histrionic personality disorder
C) Antisocial personality disorder
D) Narcissistic personality disorder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for
and violation of the rights of others. Clients exhibit superficial charm, violate others' rights,
exploit others, lie, cheat, lack guilt or remorse, are impulsive, act out, and lack empathy. As
clients, these individuals are extremely manipulative and aggressive. Nurses must establish and
adhere to a plan of care and maintain clear boundaries to minimize client manipulation and
acting out. This disorder is in Cluster B (dramatic/emotional cluster). There is no medication
specifically for the disorder; treatment focuses on behavior modification and boundary setting.
8. What personality disorder is characterized by unstable/intense relationships, identity
disturbances, impulsivity, self-mutilation, rapid mood shifts, chronic emptiness, intense fear
of abandonment, splitting, and anger?
A) Antisocial personality disorder
B) Borderline personality disorder
C) Histrionic personality disorder
D) Narcissistic personality disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in
interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect, along with marked impulsivity. Key features
